Can anyone recommend Vichy as a good place to stay for a night or two on the long journey down to the PO?
We often stop in Chartres, but like to try out different places too. In recent years we've also done Giverny and, closer to 'home', Montpellier and Nimes. Vichy looks like it's handily placed in the middle of the country and I'd expect it to have enough culture and a bit of history to make it worth a visit.
Happy to take any advice - positive or negative.

Never actually stayed in Vichy,Tim,but from what we saw as we drove through it,like any Spa town it has loads of accommodation,ranging from opulent to cheap and cheerful.

We often stay fairly close to there in the Moulins area,and have really liked it. It's close enough to Burgundy to have picturesque towns and villages, plus the added attraction of good food and wine at sensible prices.

If you want cheap and cheerful, somewhere to lay your head, with your own shower/toilet and clean, look up the Fast Hotel website and see if they have a place in Vichy. I use Fast Hotel and know what to expect and have always been satisfied with the value for money.

Formula 1 I wouldn't touch, you have to share the toilet and shower with the rest of the landing.
Campanille weren't too bad but yes Fast were just basic, but you got what you paid for and they were quite roomy. The beds were comfortable too.

I didn't expect to start an argument between a canary and a bee!
Thanks for your advice, guys. I agree with your comments about Accor group hotels - I've tried 'em all. Pretty good value at the lower end, but soulless and sterile.
Logis de France usually have a bit of local character.
There's a Best Western in Vichy which we may try if we stay there.
Tim

TimK wrote:I didn't expect to start an argument between a canary and a bee!
Thanks for your advice, guys. I agree with your comments about Accor group hotels - I've tried 'em all. Pretty good value at the lower end, but soulless and sterile.
Logis de France usually have a bit of local character.
There's a Best Western in Vichy which we may try if we stay there.
Tim

TimK wrote:Can anyone recommend Vichy as a good place to stay for a night or two on the long journey down to the PO?
We often stop in Chartres, but like to try out different places too.....

Haven't dome Vichy so would also be interested in views (on the town as well as hotels). Have done Chartres a couple of times. Did Bourges in November 2008 and enjoyed the cathedral, medieval streets and self-guide rampart tour - enough for a good half day but not perhaps two nights.

For very little more money you can use Logis de France,where you get a decent size room,and the food is edible,or even one of the chains like Kyriad,Ibis Campanile etc.

Have stayed in a couple of B+Bs and and Etap in past year for a one night head down with evening in town. Comparing the B+B and Ibis (Luce) in Chartres I don't see the IBIS being worth the extra unless you book non-refundable 30 days in advance which can be a good deal. The room and bathroom isn't significantly bigger or better in the IBIS. IBIS breakfast is superior but then it costs more. The main difference is that the IBIS have more reception staff and a pricey bar while at the B+B the guy does part time reception and breakfast.

hotel B&B still have smoking rooms too...when we looked at their website and saw a choice of smoking or non smoking rooms we dismissed it thinking their website needed updating but last month we stayed in one in Metz and the receptionist asked if we wanted smoking or non smoking and when we went to the room there were ashtrays there for this purpose